The rest was almost written...

Have you ever stared at the clock and known that the time you have left and the time it would take you to get to your goal don't add up?  I thought I had had those moments but I didn't realize how wrong I was until I stared at the clock on February 5th.  We hadn't had internet in a week and I was drowning in mail.  I almost didn't notice the notification about the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Contest at all, but there it was, in all its shining glory.  The Deal?  Submit an entire novel for review and hope that they like it.  The prize?  Besides glory and eternal bragging rights, a $25,000 contract with one of the biggest publishers in the country.  Penguin.

We’ve established the fact that I am crazy.  Those who know me know that I often go out on a creative limb at least once during all my projects.  It’s a constant battle against the clock and I’ve cultivated a taste for victory. 

The Contest was open, the submission process had already started and thousands of authors had already submitted their novels for review.  They had heard about it months, even years in advance and had carefully prepared their novels for submission. 

I looked at my book; partially edited, slightly dusty and definitely unfinished and compared my time frame.  3 days to finish the book, write a pitch, edit and submit.  Not so hard right?

If there were any doubts in my family’s mind, there aren’t any now.  I am definitely crazy.

I spent every second between recording sessions in my little corner writing.  What started as a 10,00 word ending soon turned into a 24,000-word 2-day marathon.  I had an amazing editing team; my family and our friends from Alaska and somehow we managed to pull the whole thing together.

I finished the novel at 10:30 the final night for submissions. The closing was at midnight and so, right on cue I entered my book at 11:59:55.  With only 5 seconds to spare I was shaking so hard I almost missed the submit button!  I had to wait for an excruciating minute before I got my final confirmation.

Since that time I have spent all of my free time sitting and staring at the clock.  On March 16^th I will find out if my book will make it to the next round.  Keep your fingers crossed!  The results will be posted up on the Amazon Website.  Whatever the results we’re going to have a party.  Thank you for your support!  I’ll let you know as soon as I hear anything!

Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award website:

http://www.amazon.com/Breakthrough-Novel-Award-Books/b/ref=amb_link_83562311_3?ie=UTF8&node=332264011&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-1&pf_rd_r=1VCK6A889K7K33B0TD4M&pf_rd_t=1401&pf_rd_p=468873791&pf_rd_i=1000336691